I'm loving this challenge so far! It's wonderful to hear about everyone's lifestyle, weather, and work challenges and how these help to shape individual style!

As most here know, I'm a writer, editor, and sometime teacher/professor. I'm also a PhD candidate. And the parent of a high needs teen. For years I lived in a four season (but winter dominant) climate; I'm currently getting used to life in a milder four season climate. This year, I'm working exclusively from home, but I still make occasional presentations and need clothes appropriate for that. I travel a great deal, take public transit in the city, and walk daily, both to commute and as part of my creative practice.

I'm starting the week off with a few outfits.

First, today's. Why it's me: Fire engine red, one of my key colours. It's simple and classic (jeans, knit top, cardigan) but also modern (trends represented in animal print, western belt, red.) It feels a bit playful. It's also practical. I'm wearing cozy knee socks under those booties and slippers (not booties) in the house. If I go downtown, I'll wear these (it's sunny out); but if I go for a walk in the woods, I'll exchange them for my black LaCanadiennes. Finally, it's a mix of high and low, newer and older. The high end DVF sweater is from an NAS six or seven years ago. (Worn infrequently and still going strong.) The jeans, red sweater, booties, belt are all low end. The only new item this year is the belt.

Next, yesterday's outfit for dinner and theatre with Mr. Suz. Why it's me: Blue and white, my signature neutrals. Midi length skirt feels very easy to wear. Booties were a practical choice in cool weather. I felt elegant without being over-the-top. Finally, what I wore last week at this time in Kingston. Skating at City Hall. Why it's me? Blue and white. :) And practical for skating when it's -20C. :)

33 Comments

Beautiful Suz, even bundled up! Your signature style is honed to perfection, and yet always evolving, which keeps it fresh and fun!

kkards replied 6 months ago

trendy but not over the top...fashion forward but with a nod to the classics...totally what i have come to expect from you! FAB

Cardiff girl replied 6 months ago

-20,you need that furry hood!Weve just had the hottest February day on record here in Wales +20centigrade.You look fabulous as always,l love red on you and with the leopard print it’s just perfect.

taylor replied 6 months ago

Totally Suz, leopard and red !
Gorgeous!

JAileen replied 6 months ago

At -20C/-4F, I would be sitting near the fire, having hot cocoa! Your outfits really do look like you, and you look fab!

Classically Casual replied 6 months ago

Love, love the first outfit with red and animal print, plus just the right amount of accessorizing. All of this is to say this is the sweet spot to which I aspire....

YLF

Katerina replied 6 months ago

Both outfits are stunning. Your outfits are always modern with a very classic, elegant quality, I cannot really put a finger on it, but your sense of style is amazing. There is perfection without it looking like you try too hard...
You are fabulous.

Love both these outfits! Your red and silver boots really kick up the style quotient in each outfit. Eek, -20C! That's much too cold to be outside!

bonnie replied 6 months ago

Wow - I really like these outfits. #1 is perfection.

Alicewonderland replied 6 months ago

So pretty, as usual. You are one of my style mentors.

Angie replied 6 months ago

KILLER all round. All very YOU.

LOVE you in your blues and reds. Sooo signature.

Suz, you have an extremely strong sense of self that's beautifully reflected in your style. The ease, contentment and confidence with which you put together casual and dressy looks - for at home or when you're out and about - is what gives your looks that extra je ne sais quoi. Rock on, Queen Radiant! Looking more elegant than ever too.

bella replied 6 months ago

Oh Suz, I love looking at your pictures. You have a very elegant way of putting pieces together. Fabulous!

ChristelJ replied 6 months ago

Your outfits and your smile express so much vitality and energy and confidence. The high-low mix looks all high-end the way you wear it!

lisa p replied 6 months ago

So pretty, Suz. All three looks are 10/10 :) Did you feel at home in Kingston ? Miss it at all?

rachylou replied 6 months ago

Kapow! Totally Suz :)

KMM replied 6 months ago

That red is fantastic on you. And I love a good furry hood!

Diana replied 6 months ago

Love the red and the midis!

The Cat replied 6 months ago

You look great, as always. Red items and silver boots are gorgeous on you.

anchie replied 6 months ago

Very Suz, you do have a signature style that I adore. This red is striking on you.

gryffin replied 6 months ago

Suz - you look wonderful!! You wear red so well, it loves your skin and makes it glow. I love you the cardigan and booties bookend and balance the outfit. Cozy, elegant, practical and chic and your lippie is perfect with the red, amazing! I can't imagine -20!! Having just been through the polar vortex and hittiing -10 that was the pits. So to have that temperature and still be out, about, active! Wow!!! And uber stylish too. Impressive! Your evening outfit equally lovely. You find the best tops and sweaters in abstract or soft prints. I always hope to find them but never do!! Enjoy them for me!!!

Cee replied 6 months ago

The bundled up look has me thinking you're about to say in a calm steadfast British manner, " I am just going outside... and I may be some time... "

karen13 replied 6 months ago

I just love your style! All of these are indeed so you - polished, interesting, current. And next time I whine about having such a cold winter this year, I will think of Kingston. We've all been complaining about overnight lows of 0F/-10C. And thats only a few nights.

RobinF replied 6 months ago

I understand why these are your signature colors - they look perfect! Love everything about them from the stylish footwear to your gorgeous hair!

Suz replied 6 months ago

I must admit, I'm already de-climatized to eastern Ontario weather! I was cold when I got off the train from Toronto! But the parka, plus skating, kept me warm enough. I wouldn't want to stand still for long in that weather without a coat.

Thank you for all the kind words. Gryffin, a top like that second one in off white and charcoal would be a workhorse in your closet, I'll bet. I'll keep my eyes open for it. This came from Club Monaco some years ago. It might be a good place to look -- the fits will be right for you and they often do nice silk items (this one is silk).

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. Glad you recognize the "me" in these!

Lisa, I don't really miss Kingston. But I did enjoy being back. I stayed in our house because our tenants were away. I do like the downtown and of course I like our house. But miss it? Not really. Weird, isn't it. I guess it is because I'm not originally from there? Despite having lived there for about 25 years, all told -- most of my adult life! -- and having married and raised a child there,. I've always liked it there (apart from the long winters), yet it's never entirely felt like home.

I do miss my friends there -- I have wonderful friends here, also, but my Kingston friends are special.

Angie, I'm blushing. Thank you.

I also got a style compliment when I was in Kingston -- one of my friends mentioned that her husband, who never notices anybody's style, commented favourably on mine the other day. He's only met me a few times!

Nomad replied 6 months ago

Gorgeous! Red is very much *your* color... it sings on you.

Firecracker replied 6 months ago

Suz, that red cardigan and red booties with the cropped jeans just sent me over the moon. Gotta regroup.

Your elegant navy and silver outfit for dinner is gorgeous, too!

I can't imagine how it feels to skate in -20C, but you look stylish for the outing!

Cee replied 6 months ago

-20C to me is as foreign an idea as drinking lukewarm beer !

Mainelady replied 6 months ago

Suz, these are all beautiful! My favorite it #1. Red is amazing on you! I would happily copy every bit of this outfit, if I had all the pieces!

gryffin replied 6 months ago

Suz - exactly!! If you see anything in your browsing I’d appreciate a heads up. I always forget about club Monaco. I will definitely check them out. Do they run TTS in tops or small?

Suz replied 6 months ago

Gryffin, it really depends on the cut of the item. Some are quite fitted and those fit on the smaller side; some are looser or boxier so there's more room for fudging.

For me CM tends to fit TTS or slightly small. My shoulder line is square and wide across but not thick/ broad, if that makes sense? I.e. slight frame but shoulders widely spaced.

shevia replied 6 months ago

The combination of red and the leopard sweater is stunning. I also love the blue and white pattern on your going out top. And your lipstick! Cannot relate to being able to ice skate or doing it willingly in -20C, but I will admire from afar!